Reformation: Delegation & Corporate Praise (5/1/23)

Nehemiah 12

5/1/2023

Image by Gustavo Rezende from Pixabay

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Read: Nehemiah 12 (AMP)
Biblical Lesson…

Our God loves order. Nehemiah was the instrument of God to bring order and reformation back to Israel and Jerusalem. In Nehemiah 11, God had Nehemiah re-allot Israel's property back to the recognized Israelite families, as traced in recordable lineage.

Once allotment of property was done, the priestly and/or Levitical families were once again recognized and delegation of worship and temple responsibilities were placed upon the men of these recognized families. First, these men and their families were brought back to Jerusalem to dedicate the wall. Such dedication was led by some yet all came to praise and worship, with such joyful noise that it rang throughout the land. Second, delegation of responsibility to the Levites/priestly portion extended back to Moses, David and Solomon (see Numbers 3-8; 2 Chronicles 8:14). All done in remembrance of the Lord's commands.

This Lord brings order and reformation through delegation and corporate praise in the New Testament also. During His ministry and after His resurrection, Jesus gave instructions to his disciples in Matthew 10. Later, the Holy Spirit delegates them specific responsibilities, see Peter's assignment (Acts 10) and Paul's assignment (Acts 9:1-15).

Today's Version…

Let's bring this to current times. God is the potter and we are the clay in His hands. How has He formed you? Who are you? What is your allotment in this life? What has God Almighty delegated to you? How are you handling these responsibilities? Are you taking up your cross and doing the will of God? Do things seem to be going smoothly in your life? Are you taking God's hand and letting him lead you? What would the world look like if we all truly loved one another as Jesus taught?

What to do…

Challenges:

  1. Spring clean (your house, your garden, your closet…). Note the steps you (and your cleaning partner) have to take and consider the process step-by-step. Compare and contrast it to God's reformation process.

  2. Pray and journal your answers to the questions in Today's Version.

  3. Go with a friend or some friends to do something artistic (paint, potter, etc.). Let it be something outside your comfort zone, see what you create and have fun and thank God for allowing you this light-hearted time.